Arrest after beach CCTV shot with air rifle

A man has been arrested after CCTV linked to a private East Sussex beach was damaged with an air rifle, police say.

The 44-year-old, from Bromley, was detained following an incident at the Port of Newhaven on 24 June and remains in custody, Sussex Police said.

It comes following a spate of break-ins at Newhaven's West Beach, which has been closed to the public since 2008.

The National Coastwatch Institute previously told the BBC one of its cameras overlooking West Beach had been destroyed.

Crowds of people have been pictured sunbathing and swimming on the beach - one of the only sandy ones in Sussex - in recent days.

Repeated calls have been made to bring the beach into public ownership.

Sussex Police said separately it is investigating three reports of criminal damage after padlocks on the beach gates were damaged or broken.

"While criminal damage is a matter for police investigation, trespassing on private land is generally a civil matter for the landowner," it said.

The force added it was working with the port authority and the local council to provide crime prevention advice and help reduce the risk of further incidents.

Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, X, and Instagram and listen to BBC Radio Sussex on Sounds. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.